May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. – 2 Peter 1:2
When were multiplication tables first introduced in your arithmetic class? Third grade? Fourth? For many, it was a struggle to learn them, but once committed to memory, they stay with you. School children today are learning math topics in new ways, and multiplying has seen dramatic changes. The McGraw-Hill Vice President of Mathematics, Judy Brown, says problems with Common Core math programs still exist, and rushing into it can still “hinder students’ full understanding of the process of multiplication and division.” In any event, the math proficiency of American students has been declining, and action must be taken to establish teaching practices and methods to rebuild student knowledge. Consider adding the education of America’s children to your prayer list.
Math is God’s idea. “Mathematical objects exist in the mind of God,” says Dr. Josh Wilkerson a biblical historian with a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Texas State University. Not only has God displayed addition and subtraction, He established multiplying and dividing concepts, geometry, calculus and logic, the law of physics, and more. Just as God does not change, these laws do not change. Two plus two will always be four, and 9 x 9 will equal 81, every time. Wilkerson says, “It makes perfect sense that as human beings we can discover and understand maths, because maths are in the mind of God. We are made in His image and this includes the privilege of thinking His thoughts after Him.”
Today’s verse indicates that God wants His grace and peace to be multiplied to you, and this happens as you add to your knowledge of Him. Minister, seminary professor, and author of commentaries on word studies Charles Erdman says “’Spiritual math’ only takes place in the sphere of and by means of true, deep, full, rich, genuine knowledge.”
Make learning more about the Lord and His ways a main focus and a daily discipline. When you read your Bible, study it to know more. As you add to your understanding, grace and peace will be multiplied to you. That’s God’s math!
Today’s Verse: 2 Peter 1:2
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 1:2-11
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
